Maltreated maid ‘legally blind’ – doctor

MANILA, Philippines - The housemaid who accused her former employers of maltreatment and serious illegal detention is now legally blind, an ophthalmologist who testified at the trial said Tuesday.

Dr. Joselito Urgel, medical director of the Catanduanes Eye Center, told Judge Germano Francisco Legaspi of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 77 that no operation or treatment could bring back Bonita Baran’s normal vision.

Baran’s right eye was totally blind while her left eye can only see blurred vision through the objects’ movements, Urgel said during the direct examination conducted by Assistant City Prosecutor Irene Resureccion.

She filed serious illegal detention and physical injury charges against her former employers Anna Liza and Reynold Marzan. She earlier claimed that her blindness was caused by physical abuse committed by Anna Liza.

In his testimony, Urgel said Baran’s eye injuries were possible if she had suicidal tendencies. He noted, however, that there seems to be a link between Baran’s story and the results of his medical examination.

Following his presentation, defense counsel Jesus Fernandez told The STAR that the doctor’s testimony “has no bearing” on the serious illegal detention case. “He was not at the house (to prove that Baran was indeed detained),” said Fernandez.

Earlier, Legaspi prevented Bato, Catanduanes medical health officer Dr. Wilfredo Kagaoan from testifying as his testimony will delve on the physical injury aspect, which is being heard in another court.